Distribution Network Operators (DNO)
What are DNOs?
DNOs are licensed companies that own and operate the network of towers, transformers, cables and meters that carry electricity from the national transmission system and distribute it throughout Britain.
DNOs are responsible for allocating Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRNs), which are the unique identifiers for individual supply points and correspond to respective regions. Their systems connect directly to the central database of electricity supply points.
As DNOs are naturally monopolies, they are regulated by Ofgem to protect consumers and ensure they do not abuse their position and overcharge for their services.
There are 14 licensed DNOs each covering a different geographically defined region of Britain and are owned by six different groups.
The DNO groups and DNOs are:
- 1. Electricity North West Limited
- 2. Northern Powergrid
- Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited
- Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
- 3. Scottish and Southern Energy
- Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc
- Southern Electric Power Distribution plc
- 4. ScottishPower Energy Networks
- SP Distribution Ltd
- SP Manweb plc
- 5. UK Power Networks
- London Power Networks plc
- South Eastern Power Networks plc
- Eastern Power Networks plc
- 6. Western Power Distribution
- Western Power Distribution (East Midlands) plc
- Western Power Distribution (West Midlands) plc
- Western Power Distribution (South West) plc
- Western Power Distribution (South Wales) plc
Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNO)
What are IDNOs?
Independent Distribution Network Operators are companies who develop, own, operate and maintain smaller, local electricity distribution systems within the DNO network.
IDNOs are connected to Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), either directly, or through other IDNOs. They carry power to homes and businesses around Britain and have no geographically defined region of operation, so are able to offer their services widely across the UK.
The UK’s licensed IDNOs:
- Eclipse Power Limited
- Energy Assets Networks Limited
- Energetics Electricity Limited
- ESP Electricity Limited
- Fulcrum Electricity Assets Limited
- Harlaxton Energy Networks Limited
- Independent Power Networks Limited
- Leep Electricity Network Limited
- Murphy Power Distribution Limited
- The Electricity Network Company Limited
- UK Power Distribution Limited
- Utility Assets Limited
- Vattenfall Network Limited
